On Yao, Iverson and the Vancouver Whitecaps – The Province

We’re not going to talk about practice. We’re going to talk about the games.

That’s what Vancouver Whitecaps centre-back Tristan Blackmon is looking forward to as the Caps stare down MLS competition in the second leg of their pre-season, heading to Palm Springs for the Coachella Invitational.

“It’s a good test going there; playing against guys you’re gonna play constantly in the league, see what they’re about. Games is where you see what people are made of,” said the Caps’ defender. “I think it was Allen Iverson who said: ‘Practice? We talking ‘bout practice?’

“Practice is for sure important, but I think you see the fruits of the labour in the games for sure. So I’m curious to see how certain guys do in the game setting against MLS teams.”

He wasn’t specifically referring to his new backline confederate, Karifa Yao, but if the Size 12 cleats fit …

The Montreal-born centre-back spent the past two seasons on loan from Club De Foot to Cavalry FC of the CPL, where the 22-year-old got valuable experience and playing time.

A lot of playing time.

The 6-foot-3, 187 pound Yao started 53 of his 56 appearances for Cavalry, and led all their outfield players in minutes, blocks, tackles and clearances last season.

His production and performance had him on the fast-track to returning to MLS with his hometown team — and the same one that developed him through its academy — but he took a detour into the MLS re-entry draft, where the Whitecaps claimed him in August.

“I was a bit surprised, but that is football,” said Yao. “There’s things you cannot control. But I’m really happy to be here right now in Vancouver and to work with those players, and that staff … I’m really excited for this year.

“I got a lot of experience,” he added of his time in the CPL. I learned a lot because I was playing against men. I made some mistakes. I learned some stuff — inside and outside the field. So yeah, those two years I grew up.”

Yao’s acquisition gives the Caps even more depth at centre-back, with Ranko Veselinovic, newcomer Mathías Laborda, Blackmon and academy product Matteo Campagna. But none have the physical stature and presence that Yao brings. Not since the days of Doneil Henry and Kendall Waston have the Caps had a centre-back who exudes that kind of menace just by being present.

The coaching from Vanni Sartini and newly minted assistant Flo Jungwirth at training this week comprised mostly of shifting Karifa by a few feet, just minor tweaks to his spot on the field in open play and on set pieces. The young Canadian defender says he already feels comfortable both in the system and with his new teammates.

“I know I have a good physique. And that is my strength. Play with my strength, be vocal and dominant like always,” he said. “(Sartini) is not really asking too much (of me). It’s not that hard. I still need to adapt and to work on some details, but it’s been really good and really easy to understand the tactics.

“To be solid defensively, win my duels, solid leadership talking to the players in front of me, play simple, don’t risk and play some good balls. I think that’s what I can bring to the team.

“MLS is a bit different (than CPL). The positioning you’ll always have to be in the right spot. For example, you can do a mistake and you’ll regret it, someone’s going to score. So you know, just limit the mistakes.”

It was the mistakes that killed the Caps last year. Whether it was players caught out of position, failing to track runners behind their backs, or getting dissected by opposition passing, the list of grievances was long and lengthy.

Vancouver gave up the fourth-most goals in MLS last season (57), and by extension of having the lowest possession (41.9), gave up the most passes and progressive distance per game.

But the (defensive) tide turned toward the end of the season, when Sartini switched to a back four/3.5 with Blackmon, Veselinovic and the now-departed Jake Nerwinski establishing themselves as the defensive starters.

“We got a good run of games with the same backline. That definitely helped,” said Blackmon. “Towards the end of the year knowing what was on the line, knowing we were in a place where we could make that push to get into the playoffs, I think it put things more into perspective that we really could push for it.

“Obviously you want that through the whole year, but I think that helped a lot. Being with the same guys constantly in training and in the games for a month or so really helped.

“And I think coming into this year, you hope to have that same chemistry. I think building that with the new players coming in … it’s gonna really help us going into the season.”

And he’s already a Yao fan.

“First and foremost, he’s a great guy. Really well-spoken, humble guy, works his tail off, wants to win everything. I think he’s going to be a really good addition to this group,” he said. “Just the willingness to do the dirty work and put in a good tackle; that’s something you really want from a defender in your team.”

jadams@postmedia.com

twitter.com/TheRealJJAdams

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Jan. 30: Depart for Palm Springs, Calif., for the Coachella Invitational Tournament.

Feb. 1: Pre-season match versus D.C. United — Empire Polo Club at 1 p.m. PT.

Feb. 4: Pre-season match vs. Charlotte FC — Empire Polo Club at 11 a.m. PT.

Feb. 8: Pre-season match vs. Toronto FC — Empire Polo Club at 1 p.m. PT.

Feb. 12: Pre-season match vs. St. Louis CITY SC — Empire Polo Club at 12:30 p.m. PT.

Feb. 18: Pre-season match vs. Minnesota United FC — Empire Polo Club at 10 a.m. PT, return to Vancouver.

Feb. 25: MLS regular-season opener vs. Real Salt Lake — B.C. Place at 7:30 p.m. PT

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